November 2008 - Herbal Bath & Skin Care

The holiday season is upon us and so is colder, darker weather. If stress and lack of sunlight tends to darken your mood, do what I do and pamper yourself with an Herbal Mini-Staycation.

Okay, men, don't quit reading just because you read the word "pamper." Guys enjoy a mini-spa as much as the gals, and I promise you won't "stink pretty" when you're done. You'll feel refreshed, relaxed and renewed.

Step one: Put it on the calendar. When possible, I visit my wonderful massage therapist as late in the day or early evening as I can, setting aside an evening when the kids are gone and I know I won't be interrupted.

Step two: Put your favorite music into the CD player, turn off the phone, run the tub, and perhaps pour a glass of herbal wine. With cold and flu season setting in, elderberry would be my wine of choice.

Step three: With the tub running, add a cup or two of Epsom Salts, six drops essential oil of Rosemary and six drops essential oil of Lavender. Slip in and stay as long as possible, preferable until the music ends. Then rinse off in the shower. As an extra treat, take five or ten minutes to renew your circulation and rejuvenate your skin by briskly rubbing every inch of skin with a rough towel. Concentrate, paying special attention to the neglected areas, especially the back and the feet. You'll be amazed how wonderful you'll feel!

For that manly smell, try the following essential oils singly or as a blend: Pine Needle, Juniper Berry, Cinnamon, Clove, Mint, Bay, Sage, Thyme or Oregano. NOTE: A few drops go a long way. Essential oils are concentrated and should not be ingested. Always test for possible allergic reactions before completely immersing in a tub. Following are some basic recipes from Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home, for herbal bath and skin care which you make yourself. And guess what? They contain no unpronounceable chemicals or synthetic fragrances and are very easy to make.

Basic Cold Cream - Use to remove makeup and treat dry skin - too heavy for normal or oily skin. Dissolve 1/8 tsp. borax powder in 1/4 c. distilled water. Over a simmering water bath, mix 1/2 c. light oil (almond, sunflower, etc.) with 2 Tbls. grated beeswax until melted. Set your first container of borax and water in the water bath with the container of oil and wax and gently heat until both are about the same temperature. Pour the oil mixture into a blender, running it at low speed and slowly add the water mixture in a steady stream until it emulsifies into a light fluffy cream. Allow to cool completely before spooning into a clean jar. Makes 8 oz.

Herbal Aloe Vera Gel - Great for normal to oily skin, the herbs add antiseptic properties to prevent breakouts. How easy is this? Mix 1/2 c. Aloe Vera gel and 1 Tbls. each dried Lavender and Calendula (Pot Marigold) flowers and heat gently for 10-15 mins. Remove from heat and cool completely. Strain out herbs pouring into a clean jar. Makes about 4 oz.

Next month I’ll share a special selection of herbal bath and body recipes perfect for gift-giving (or keeping for yourself!).

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